In this lesson, I'll show you some useful Korean phone call phrases. I'll start with important vocabulary and show expressions with various polite levels.
<Table of Contents>
1. Basic Vocab
Phone-related nouns
phone | |
cellphone | |
smartphone | |
(phone)call, telephone conversation | |
be on the phone | |
text message |
In Korea, people usually use internet-based messengers like Kakao Talk or Line rather than just text messages.
Phone-related verbs
call, phone | |
make a phone call, ring sb | |
receive a phonecall | |
hang up the phone | |
send a text message | |
receive a text message |
2. Useful Expressions
1. Hello?
In Korean culture, it is customary to greet someone on the phone with the phrase "여보세요?" as a polite way of saying "Hello." This expression is suitable for any type of phone conversation, regardless of its formality. Interestingly, both the caller and the receiver can use this phrase.
"여보세요?" is only for the phone conversations! So when greeting someone in person, avoid using "여보세요?" and instead use "안녕하세요?" or other greetings related to "안녕". If you are interested in learning more about greetings in person, please click here to read my other post!
Confirm
Imagine you are calling to a landline phone, not a cellphone. If you want to make sure you call the right house, you can use the confirming ending 지요 in a sentence.
거기 (name/title) 댁이지요? (polite-honorific) Is that 00's house?
e.g. 거기 김 교수님 댁이지요? Is that Professor Kim's house?
거기 (name) 집이지요? (polite-non honorific) Is that 00's house?
e.g. 거기 수지 집이지요? Is that Suji's house?
What will be the differences between the two examples above? 댁 and 집 both mean a house. However, 댁 is an honorific version of the word of 집. So, when you refer to the house of someone much older than you or who holds a higher social status―like Professor Kim in the example, you need to use "댁". If you are looking for your friend or confirming if it is your friend's house, you can say "집."
This part is optional. Well, if you already know whose house it is, you don't need to confirm it!
3. Saying the name
You can add your name like the examples below.
저는 000 입니다. It's the most polite way to say your name.
e.g. 저는 김민지입니다. This is Kim Minji.
저 000인데요. It's the common way to say your name.
e.g. 저 김민지인데요.
나 000이야. This is the most casual way. You are allowed to use it only to your friends or close people.
e.g. 나 민지야.
4. May I speak to...?
Whether you inquire or not, you now have the option to ask whether you can speak with a particular individual.
"(name/title) 좀 바꿔 주시겠어요?" May I speak to 00?
e.g. 김 부장님 좀 바꿔 주시겠어요? May I speak to Manager Kim?
"(title) 계세요?" (polite-honorific) Is 000 there?
When you are looking for someone much older than you, use this expression.
e.g. 김 교수님 계세요? Is Professor Kim there?
"(friend name) 있어요?" Is 000 there?
When you are looking for your friends or someone younger than you, use this one.
e.g. 민지 있어요? Is Minji there?
5. Hold on, please.
There are many ways to say "Hold on, please," or "One second."
네, 잠깐만요.
네, 잠시만요.
네, 잠깐만 기다리세요.
네, 잠시만 기다리세요.
6. Speaking.
네, 전화 바꿨습니다. Yes, speaking.
네, 누구세요? Yes, who is this?
7. He/She is not here.
Here is how you can answer when someone you were asked is not available.
지금 안 계세요. He(She) is not here.
지금 자리에 안 계세요. He(she) is not here.
자리 means a seat. This one is good to use in an office situation.
지금 통화 중이세요. He(She) is on the phone right now.
메시지 남겨드릴까요? Do you want me to leave a message?
네, 부탁드립니다. Yes, please.
아니요, 나중에 다시 전화하겠습니다. No, I'll call later.
8. Ending the call
감사합니다. 좋은 하루 되세요. Thank you. Have a great day.
통화해 주셔서 감사합니다. Thank you for calling.
네, 그럼 이만 끊겠습니다. Alright, I’ll hang up now.
3. Examples
1
You call to your professor's house.
A: 여보세요? 거기 김 교수님댁 이지요? Hello? Is this Professor Kim's house?
B: 네, 누구세요? Yes, who is this?
↪ 교수님 is a professor. 댁 is an honorific word for 집 house.
2
You call to your friend's house.
A: 여보세요? 거기 민지 집이지요? Hello? Is there Minji's house?
B: 네, 전데요. 누구세요? Yes, speaking. Who is this?
A: 나 유진이야. Hey, it's Yujin.
3
You call the office to look for Manager Lee.
A: 여보세요? 거기 이 부장님 계세요? Hello? Is Manager Lee there?
B: 아니요, 지금 자리에 안 계세요. No, he is not here.
메시지 남겨 드릴까요? Do you want me to leave a message?
A: 아니요, 나중에 다시 전화하겠습니다. No, I'll call later.
4. Wrap-up: Useful Korean Phone Call Phrases
Mastering these phrases will not only help you communicate effectively but also leave a positive impression on the person you're speaking with. Keep practicing, and soon, phone calls in Korean will feel as natural as in your native language!